CoVID-19 Information

Updated 02/08/2022

Updated Return to School Plan 2021/2022 - Updated February 7, 2022 due to TRO (Copy of TRO)

Please note: This plan is subject to change. CoVID mitigations may be added in a layered approach based on positive cases in Massac County.

Former CoVID Documents and Press Releases

2020 Parent Survey Data Shared

Massac Unit #1 has created this page to help communicate information about CoVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). Due to concerns and heightened awareness of CoVID-19, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking guidance from the Southern Seven Health Department, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

July 6, 2020 Update:

ISBE released the following guidance for the upcoming 2020/2021 school year on June 23, 2020: ISBE Transition Document Because this document was released to school districts at the same time it was released to the public, we have taken some time to digest this material. We kindly thank you for your patience as our staff continues to thoroughly review this detailed guidance and implements the suggestions into our district’s own transition plan. This transition plan will be posted on this web page as soon as it is finalized.

May 2, 2020 Update:

- After some conflicting communication, ISBE and IDPH issued this joint guidance on graduation ceremonies during the CoVID-19 quarantine. MCHS is pursuing the Individualized Ceremony at School option. We will send out specific guidelines to graduates and their parents for this option. We ask for your cooperation and understanding as we attempt to honor our graduates while maintaining the social distancing requirements set forth by the Governor.


April 17, 2020 Update:

- In-person instruction for all Illinois schools has been suspended for the remainder of the 2019/2020 school year. Massac Unit #1 will continue to utilize the remote learning plan through May 2020.


March 31, 2020 Update:

- All Illinois schools will remain closed through April 30, 2020 - Letter to parents posted here



FAQ regarding the closing of all Illinois public schools

1. How long is school closed?

Answer - The Governor has closed all Illinois schools through April 30th.

2. Will Massac Unit #1 provide meals during this school closure?

Answer - Yes. We will be delivering meals to specified pickup locations in Metropolis and via bus routes for Brookport, Franklin, Jefferson, and Unity Elementary School. Deliveries will begin Friday, March 20, 2020. More information will be posted here

3. Does my child need to bring all their belongings home Monday, March 16th?

Answer - We are asking that all students clear out their lockers, desks, and any other personal items so that our custodial staff can sanitize these and all other spaces of the schools.

4. What will happen with school events, athletics, and extracurriculars during the closure?

Answer - All school events and mandatory practices have been cancelled during this closure.

5. What will happen to school events, athletics, and others scheduled on or after Tuesday, March 31st?

Answer - Following the state mandated closure, all events, athletics, and extracurriculars will continue as they are currently scheduled.

6. What will happen with Spring Break that is currently scheduled for April 6th - 10th?

Answer - We have effectively cancelled Spring Break for 2020.

7. Will graduation dates change?

Answer - All graduation dates are set and will remain the same unless the school closure and ban on public gatherings is extended into May.

8. What will the last day of school be?

Answer - At this time, we do not anticipate having to change our current school calendar, which has the last student day scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2020.

9. How can we get medicine that might be stored at school during the closure?

Answer - Please contact your respective school office on Monday to make arrangements to pickup your child's medication.

10. How will the schools be working to continue education?

Answer - Massac Unit #1 staff will provide as many learning opportunities as possible for our students during this school closure. We understand that individual circumstances may make it difficult to take advantage of these opportunities. We simply ask our parents and guardians to try to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible so our students do not lose any of the knowledge that they have learned over the course of this school year. We will do all we can to support our students and parents during this difficult time.

11. Can we continue Behind the Wheel driving during this school closure?

Answer - No. We have received guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education to suspend all driving instruction until school reopens.

12. What will happen with the SAT, PSAT, and voluntary ACT testing dates?

Answer - We have received statements from Pearson (ACT) and the College Board (SAT/PSAT) that test administrations will be postponed during the CoVID-19 outbreak. All tests will be rescheduled at a later date.

Letters

Letter #4 to parents and staff regarding CoVID-19

Letter #3 to parents and staff regarding CoVID-19

Letter #2 to parents and staff regarding CoVID-19

Letter #1 to parents and staff regarding CoVID-19

Podcasts

Podcast update (April 15, 2020)

Podcast update (April 08, 2020)

Podcast update (April 03, 2020)

Podcast update (April 02, 2020)

Podcast update (March 31, 2020)

Podcast update (March 30, 2020)

Podcast update (March 19, 2020)

Podcast update (March 17, 2020)

Podcast update (March 13, 2020)

Podcast update (March 12, 2020)

Websites/Documents

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: CoVID-19 Summary

The Southern Seven Health Department Informational page and links

The Illinois Department of Public Health CoVID-19 Guidance for Public Schools

The most up to date study of CoVID-19

This is a clip from CBC News medical contributor and family physician Dr. Peter Lin breaks down the facts about Coronavirus, where it came from, how it spreads and what you can do to protect yourself.

The CDC website with information about cases in the United States is embedded below:

A website created by Johns Hopkins with several GIS views is embedded below:

stop-the-spread-of-germs.pdf
what-you-should-do.pdf